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Enjoying life outside can continue well beyond the end of summer. With a little planning and a few key pieces, you can make the most of your alfresco spaces and backyard in all seasons. Adding outdoor cooking options and specialised outdoor furniture can help reinvent a backyard, but even small changes mean you can enjoy time outdoors during winter. You can also add value to your home by creating a usable backyard all year round, whether you’re entertaining guests, relaxing with the family or doing yoga.
Great outdoor lighting is essential for producing a warm and inviting atmosphere in your alfresco spaces. “Fairy lights are versatile – use them to create a dispersed, twinkling glow,” explains Marianne Zagaras from Lytworks. “Trace them along awnings, pergolas, and columns to frame an entertaining area or chill-out space with soft sparkling light.”
Wind fairy lights around the branches of a tree to bring it to life at night. “This can add a welcoming, whimsical vibe to your garden,” says Marianne.
Net lights can create a canopy over an uncovered patio setting or be wrapped around tree trunks for columns of lattice-shaped light. You can also create a space divider or turn a wall, fence, or hedge into a sparkling feature using curtain lights.
Warm festoon lights look wonderful almost anywhere. They offer a brighter, punctuated effect when hung up in an outdoor area. “Place them loosely for a fun, abstract vibe, or in a straight line for a sleek and streamlined look,” says Marianne.
Solar lights, which are available in many styles, provide an easy and affordable way to illuminate even the farthest reaches of the garden.
No matter the season, a barbecue is a must for any alfresco dining space. From small charcoal models to a full outdoor kitchen, a grill creates a fantastic and fragrant atmosphere. They are also ideal for those with limited entertaining space indoors and they keep cooking odours out of the house.
While it’s designed for cooking rather than heating, there’s something wonderfully cosy about standing around a barbeque. And with a woodfired pizza oven, you can elevate your outdoor area even further, watching the flickering flames while your mouth-watering pizza is perfectly prepared.
There’s a huge variety of outdoor heaters to warm up chilly evenings, from freestanding propane heaters to electric patio models. It’s important to consider the needs of your space before deciding. For families with children, a heat source that’s within reach of small hands may not be the best choice. Other considerations should be the size of the area you’re heating, and if it is wired for electricity or plumbed for natural gas.
An open fire adds an extra layer of appeal to an outdoor space. “There’s nothing like huddling around a cosy wood fire with family and friends,” says Andrew Di Bartolo from Aurus Firepits. For smaller courtyard spaces, Andrew recommends a compact, low-smoke fire pit. “The dual walls and perforated base optimise airflow to all sides of the fire, which enables efficient burning and means less smoke is produced,” he explains.
Should you opt for a wood-fired outdoor heater, there are a few options to choose from.
Chimeneas: Front-loading, freestanding chimeneas are designed to omit heat from their top and are good for small spaces such as courtyards.
Braziers: Self-contained and portable, braziers often stand on feet and feature a grill for cooking over coals or firewood.
Fire pits: Whether they are dug out and lined with stones and bricks, or placed as a freestanding bowl to gather around, fire pits tend to have more open flames. This makes for an attractive feature. However, their design means they need to be placed away from anything combustible.
Tip: Position any outdoor heater away from nearby structures or overhanging vegetation.
To create a comfortable and attractive outdoor living space, it’s important to keep the area clear of plant debris, which can be abundant in the cooler months. At the start of the season, prune any dead or damaged branches, and any overgrown shrubs and trees. This will tidy up your plants’ shapes, as well as help to keep their size under control.
Plants can also provide decorative colour and texture. If you’re designing an outdoor space from scratch, keep autumn hues in mind. Gardening writer Rachel Clare suggests choosing plants that respond to cooler weather by turning shades of orange, yellow, and red before shedding their leaves.
Along with an autumnal colour show, deciduous trees help regulate the temperature of a garden. Once their foliage has fallen, sunlight can filter through during winter and brighten both indoor and outdoor areas. They also offer leafy shade for plants and people in summer.
When light rain falls and the glaring sun beats down, having a sheltered area set up for family and friends is key. Adding further weatherproofing will also help extend your nights outdoors.
Outdoor blinds come in a range of materials and styles to suit any outdoor space. They’re easily installed and removed, making them a versatile option for entertaining and everyday use. Just be sure to check with your local planning authority before installing external structures like blinds or awnings.
Comfy rugs, outdoor cushions, and good music will go a long way to warming your bones and encouraging friends to settle in for a cosy evening under the stars. Add an extra dose of comfort with warm throws in a nearby basket for when guests start feeling the cold.
Tip: A soft green carpet of synthetic grass over the deck is a simple way to improve the comfort level underfoot in the cooler months.
Our range of outdoor heaters can transform an outdoor space from cold to cosy.
Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.
Photo Credit: Brigid Arnott, James Moffatt, John Downs
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
